Canada's Arms Exports to Israel Raise Questions About Government Transparency

Strategic Insights -

A new report has sparked concerns about Canada's exports of military equipment to Israel, despite the Liberal government's assurances that it has only exported "non-lethal" equipment and ceased issuing military permits in 2024. The report, released by a group of non-governmental organizations, reveals that Israel has imported hundreds of thousands of bullets from Canada since 2023, with 175,000 of those bullets being shipped this year. The report's researchers, from the Palestinian Youth Movement and World Beyond War, traced commercial shipping data and consulted publicly available Israeli tax authority data to reach their findings. The report's release has raised questions about the government's transparency regarding arms exports and the potential consequences of such exports on the conflict in Gaza.

Key Takeaways:

  • The report found that Israel has imported hundreds of thousands of bullets from Canada since 2023, with 175,000 of those bullets being shipped this year.
  • The report's researchers used commercial shipping data and Israeli tax authority data to reach their findings.
  • Global Affairs Canada has not responded to questions about the report, including whether the exports included in the report stemmed from permits approved before Ottawa stopped issuing them.
  • The federal government says Canada has not issued new permits for military items bound for Israel that could be used in the ongoing war in Gaza since January 8, 2024.
  • Israeli tax data cited in the report shows that Israel imported 421,070 items designated as "bullets" from Canada since the beginning of 2024.
  • In April 2025 alone, the amount of bullets imported by Israel from Canada totaled 175,000, valued at approximately $369,000.
  • The report also examined commercial shipping records to illustrate the flow of goods between Canada and Israel, including how Canadian companies exported other components and technologies to Israel.
  • Canada's current Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand reported that Canada has pledged $10 million toward reforming the Palestinian Authority to ensure Hamas would not play a role in governing a Palestinian state.

Statistics:

  • Israel imported 421,070 items designated as "bullets" from Canada since the beginning of 2024.
  • 175,000 bullets were shipped to Israel from Canada in April 2025, valued at approximately $369,000.
  • More than 60,000 Palestinians have now been killed during the Israel-Hamas war, according to the Associated Press.
  • 1,200 civilians were killed in the initial Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023.
  • 251 hostages remain in captivity as a result of the October 7, 2023 attacks.
  • Canada has pledged $10 million toward reforming the Palestinian Authority and an additional $30 million in humanitarian assistance for Palestinians in Gaza.

Sources:

  • A report by the Palestinian Youth Movement and World Beyond War, released by the Arms Embargo Now campaign.
  • Israeli tax authority data.
  • Commercial shipping records.
  • Canadian Press.
  • Associated Press.